[Kobe City] Making original perfumes at “Fragrance House Dutch House” in Kitano Ijinkan District

• Table of Contents
• "Fragrance House Netherlands Pavilion", former residence of the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Only one in the world! Making original perfume
• Access information
• basic information

"Fragrance House Netherlands Pavilion", former residence of the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

``Fragrance House Dutch House'' is located in Kitano Ijinkan-gai, one of Kobe's popular tourist spots. It is said that around 200 residences were built in the town of Kitano, which is located on a hill and has a good view, from the Meiji period to the early Showa period for foreign visitors who moved to Japan after the port opened.

The House of Scents, Netherlands Pavilion, is one such building, and was built in 1918 as the residence of the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

After being used by three generations of consul generals, IS Volkhin, who came to Japan in the wake of the Russian Revolution, lived here, and in 1982 it was opened to the public as the ``Fragrance House Dutch Pavilion'' (hereinafter referred to as the ``Holland Pavilion''). it was done. It is also called the ``Old Volkhin House'' because Mr. Volkhin lived there.

This "Netherlands House" is designated as a traditional building of Kobe City, and in 2009 (Heisei 21) it was also selected as one of "Hyogo's 100 Modern Residences."

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You can also go inside the "Klomp"

When we entered the grounds, we found a large object of Dutch wooden shoes called "klomp" in the garden. It's a popular photo spot, so don't forget to take a commemorative photo. In the southeast garden, there is also a small studio with a weather vane and an exhibit that shows the roots of vending machines made in France in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution.

After taking photos in the garden, we immediately took off our shoes and went on a tour of the museum. When you enter the entrance, the first thing you see is a staircase with carved wooden handrails. The ceiling is high due to the open atrium, and the red carpet creates a solemn atmosphere. It has a very nice atmosphere that gives you a sense of Taisho romance.

Stairs seen from the second floor

The first floor of the building has a reception room, dining room, kitchen, and ``fragrance room'' where you can make your own perfume, while the second floor has an office, salon, bedroom, bathroom, and maid's room.

The highlight of the drawing room is the Piano La Piano, a foot-operated piano. It's amazing that this piano is about 200 years old!

Sheet music is a roll of paper with holes. You can perform by blowing air into the holes in the roll while pressing the pedal, and then hitting the piano keys.

It seems that it can still be moved, although the sound is skipped in some places. Unfortunately, it is for display only, so you cannot actually hear the sounds, but it is a very valuable item, so please take a close look.

dining room

When you visit the office on the second floor, take note of the overhead lighting.

If you look closely, you can see that the chain part has a brim with a flower design.

The design is of cherry blossoms, and if you count the petals, there are six. Generally, cherry blossoms have 5 petals. It seems that it was made by some mistake and remains as it is.

Bedroom unified with Dutch furniture

There is also much to see inside the building, including the bedrooms, which are all decorated with Dutch-made furniture, and the kitchen, which displays tools that were used when the residents first lived there. There are mirrors all over the building, and recently many people are taking pictures of themselves through the mirrors and posting them on SNS.

I want to take photos that stand out! Recommended for everyone.

Only one in the world! Making original perfume

When you visit the Holland Pavilion, you should try your hand at making your own original perfume.

In this experience, a perfumer (blender) will create an original perfume that matches your personality based on data such as your zodiac sign, favorite music, flowers, and fruits, as well as your personality and atmosphere.

Recently, it seems that many people are creating their own ``favorite'' perfumes, and this is a popular experience menu at ``Holland Hall.''

The experience location is on the first floor in a room labeled "One-day Fragrance School." After completing the reception, you will fill out the necessary information on the hearing sheet. After filling out the form, you will have a detailed interview with the perfumer.

We delve deeper into the reasons for choosing your favorite flowers, such as, ``Did you choose your favorite flower because of its appearance or scent?'' After the interview, the perfumer will come up with a fragrance recipe.

How to make perfume

I'm excited to see what kind of scent it will have.

There is also a collection of perfume bottles on the shelf in the perfume area.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete the perfume, so we recommend experiencing perfume making first and then taking a tour of the facility.

Here is the finished perfume. When I smelled the scent, I was surprised that I liked it! After receiving an explanation of the scent from the perfumer, you can take it home in a special box.

In addition, the perfume recipe you create will be saved for 5 years. If you like the scent, you can order it via the contact page on our website, by phone, or by fax. You can get it delivered free of charge.

Photo provided by: “Holland Pavilion”

In addition, the ``Netherlands Pavilion'' also offers an experience menu where you can take a commemorative photo wearing traditional costumes from the Volendam region of the Netherlands. No reservations are required for either experience. If there is something you are interested in, please give it a try.

Original perfume price: 1 bottle 9ml for adults 3,960 yen, 1 bottle 9ml for junior high and high school students 2,860 yen *Re-ordering 1 bottle 9ml 3,960 yen (shipping included) Folk costume price: 2,750 yen for adults, 1,650 yen for children

Access information

The Netherlands Pavilion is located on a hill about a 15-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station on the Shinkansen and Subway, or Sannomiya Station on each line.

If you take the City Loop, it's a 5-6 minute walk from the Kitano Ijinkan stop. City Loop is a tour bus that takes you around Kobe's main sightseeing spots. One-day passes are also available, so this is a recommended means of transportation when sightseeing in Kobe. Please check the website for information on how to ride the bus, where to board, and discounted tickets.

Click here for purchase and details of Kobe 1-day bus ticket

If you are considering touring around Himeji and Hyogo prefectures other than Kobe, we recommend the "Hyogo Amazing Pass"! This is a bus ticket that allows you to ride the above ticket + Shinki Bus route buses as many times as you want for 1,000 yen per day.

Click here for purchase and details of Hyogo Amazing Pass

There is no parking lot at "Holland Hall". If you are visiting by car, please use the nearby coin parking.

The Dutch Pavilion is a valuable building built during the Taisho period. The reception room, dining room, and salon are lined with gorgeous antique furniture and are perfect spots for photos.

In addition to making your own original perfume, which is the only one in the world, we also recommend the experience of wearing Dutch folk costumes and taking a commemorative photo. The attached shop also sells colorful wooden shoes and scented goods imported directly from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, so be sure to check them out.

(Writer Nakata/West Plan)

*This article is information as of August 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.

basic information

Fragrance house Dutch pavilion

Address: 2-15-10 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 078-261-3330

Business hours: 10:00-17:00

Regular holidays: Open all year round

Admission fee: 700 yen for adults, 500 yen for middle and high school students, 300 yen for elementary school students

Access: ・15 minutes walk from Shinkansen/Subway Shin-Kobe Station or Sannomiya Station of each line ・5-6 minutes walk from City Loop “Kitano Ijinkan” bus stop

Parking: None

HP: http://www.orandakan.shop-site.jp/

SNS: Instagram